'Biggest Loser' season 9 episode 17 recap: How low can you go?

Alison Sweeney informs the contestants that there will be no yellow line and no elimination vote this week. Whomever loses the lowest percentage of weight this week will immediately be sent home. The remaining contestants will automatically be be in the final four.

A blast from the past

To help the contestants with motivation for the final week and beyond, Helen Phillips, winner of season seven, and Erik Chopin, winner of season three, come to talk to the contestants. They talk about losing weight, winning the title and regaining the weight again, in the case of Erik.

The breaking point

As the pressure mounts on the contestants, Michael begins to crack. The pressure of ending the show weight-wise where some contestants start is mentally challenging. It is great to see Bob engage Michael to face his fears and not run away.

Challenge rerun

In one of the most symbolic challenges in "Loser" history, the contestants must run over 16 hills of sand carrying the weight they have lost the prior 16 weeks. At the top of each hill, the contestant will lighten their loads by the same amount they have lost that corresponding week. Daris wins the competition in record time and wins $10,000, which he promptly trades in for a 1pound advantage at the weigh-in.

Tony the teacher

In a commercial turned teaching moment, Tony Romo joins the contestants for a foray through Walmart and then on a hike, where he motivates the contestants to continue the journey.

Flashback

Bob and Jillian take the contestants through video flashbacks that are truly amazing. Each contestant has made wonderful transformations both inside and out. The contestants were shown videos that they filmed during the very first week on campus. They "old" contestants look into the future to encourage they "new" contestants to continue the journey and not come back to the "old" days. These were especially powerful!

Let it all hang out

The final last-chance workout is non-dramatic as all the contestants give their all, all the time.

Red means dead

In 17 amazing weeks, the contestants have lost an amazing amount of weight. In total, Michael has lost 204 pounds, Koli has lost 172 pounds, Daris has lost 151 pounds, Ashley has lost 143 pounds (a record of most weight lost by a woman on campus) and Sunshine has lost pounds 99 pounds. Unfortunately, Sunshine falls below the red line and is eliminated.

The final four are Michael, Daris, Koli and Ashley!

Two episodes left!

Tune in next week for the annual "Biggest Loser" marathon. It should be anti-climatic to say the least. However, the numbers that the contestants have lost at home promise to amaze us all!

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